Prague in May: A Beautiful City Full of Surprises

We arrived in Prague in the evening after five nights in Paris, and my first impression was simple: this city is beautiful.

The sky was still a deep blue, the old buildings were beginning to glow under the evening lights, and the streets were already full of people. Prague felt historic from the moment we arrived—but also lively, crowded, and very much alive.

We stayed for five nights at the Hilton Prague Old Town, close enough to walk straight into the heart of the city.

Prague After Dark

Our first evening in Prague was one of my favorite memories of the trip. The sky stayed surprisingly bright for late May, fading into a deep blue while the old buildings and church towers began to glow under the city lights.

We walked toward Old Town Square, where the Astronomical Clock, historic façades, and dramatic church spires made Prague look almost unreal. The square was packed with visitors, and the surrounding streets were just as busy.

Before exploring the city at night, we stopped at a tiny butcher shop known for a raw beef sandwich. There were only a few tables inside, and although the sandwich itself wasn't necessarily something I'd travel back for, eating it in a neighborhood butcher shop was certainly a memorable way to begin Prague.

What struck me most that first night was how old and alive the city felt at the same time.

The City Moves Around the Trams

One thing I loved about Prague was the trams. They seemed to be everywhere, moving right through the heart of the city alongside pedestrians, locals, and crowds of tourists.

What surprised me was how naturally everything worked together. Even in busy areas, the trams simply moved through the streets as people went about their day.

One afternoon, we hopped on a tram without much of a plan and simply rode around for a while. Watching locals get on and off and seeing the city from the window turned out to be one of the simplest—and most enjoyable—ways to experience Prague.

Prague Castle, Cobblestones & a Coffee Break

Getting to Prague Castle was part of the adventure. We figured out the tram and tickets as we went, crossed the river, and made our way toward the castle through streets and old stone paths that seemed to have been there forever.

Before reaching the castle, we wandered around the monastery area and stopped often for photos. The climb itself was almost as memorable as the destination—the old stones, historic buildings, and views over Prague made it worth taking our time.

Near the castle, we found a Starbucks with an incredible view over the city. It was packed, but we managed to stop for coffee and enjoy the view before continuing on.

Our timing was lucky. We arrived around noon and caught the changing of the guard, complete with drums and ceremony. The castle grounds were crowded with tourists and school groups, but seeing Prague spread out below us was worth the climb.

Across Charles Bridge—and a Very Big Lunch

Walking across Charles Bridge was one of those classic Prague experiences that actually lived up to the hype. It was crowded—very crowded—but the old statues lining the bridge, the river views, and the historic buildings in every direction made it worth slowing down.

After all that walking, we stopped for lunch at a popular spot and ordered pork knuckle, ribs, and beer. The portions were enormous. We couldn't finish everything, and because we were traveling, taking leftovers with us wasn't very practical.

We liked the pork knuckle enough to come back before leaving Prague. The second time, we knew better: one pork knuckle and a couple of beers were more than enough for the two of us.

An Unexpected Night of Vivaldi

Some of the best travel memories are the ones you never planned.

While walking through Prague, we came across St. Clement Cathedral at the Clementinum, where an evening performance of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons was being advertised outside.

The setting was intimate, with just a small group of musicians and a soprano performing inside the old church. It wasn’t a grand concert hall or something we had booked months in advance—and that was exactly what made it special.

Sitting inside a centuries-old church listening to classical music in Prague became one of those unexpected experiences I’ll remember long after the trip.

At the time, we didn’t even realize how well known the Clementinum was—we simply saw the concert sign, bought tickets, and walked in. Sometimes traveling without knowing too much beforehand leads to the best surprises.

The musicians were wonderful, and what stayed with me was imagining how many years they must have spent playing their instruments. Classical music seemed to be part of the city itself—we even came across couples performing together on the streets.

A Weekend Market—and Memphis BBQ in Prague

One weekend, we wandered into a local outdoor market and found one of the most memorable meals of the trip.

A family was serving barbecue together—grandparents, their sons, and daughters-in-law all seemed to be part of the operation. The food was delicious, and the whole scene felt more like a family gathering than a restaurant.

Then came the funny part. We were standing in Prague eating barbecue and asked about the sauce. The answer? Memphis-style.

We had traveled all the way from America to the Czech Republic only to find Memphis barbecue sauce at a Prague weekend market. Travel has a sense of humor sometimes.

The Details I Kept Photographing

Prague made me look up—and stop—a lot.

I loved the old buildings, ornate churches, stone streets, and especially the doors. Some were enormous, beautifully carved, and looked as if they had been there for centuries. I found myself taking photos of doors everywhere we went.

You don’t always need another attraction on the itinerary. Sometimes simply walking the streets and noticing the details is enough.

Would I Go Back to Prague?

Absolutely.

Prague was crowded—sometimes extremely crowded—but it was also one of the most beautiful cities we visited. I loved the old streets, the trams, the architecture, the beer, the surprisingly affordable food, and the feeling that history was everywhere around us.

Some of my favorite memories weren't things we had carefully planned: riding a tram just to see where it went, discovering a Vivaldi concert while walking through the city, eating Memphis-style barbecue at a weekend market, or simply stopping to photograph another beautiful old door.

Prague reminded me that sometimes the best part of traveling is leaving a little room for the unexpected.

Would I go back? Without hesitation.

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